Garlic

Last fall we got our garlic planted. This is the first year we have tried to grow garlic. It is just starting to come up. I am really excited. I should have mulched it last fall, but I never go around to it. I hope that doesn't cause too many problems or doesn't reduce my bulb size. Here is a close up picture. I will be weeding, fertilizing and getting the drip tape down soon. Jay

Garlic

New Potato Digger

I saw this on our Local Facebook classified and I thought it looked neat and it would be very useful. So I just bought it and brought it home and for $25 how could I go wrong! I was build out of scraps laying around the farm. The previous owner said his grandfather built it and he remembers using it and using it along with his kids. They just don't have any use for it and nobody in their family was interested in keeping it. I am sure I will try it out and see how it works! I may even try to mount it on a 3 point toolbar so I only takes one person to operate. Enjoy! Jay

New Potato Digger

Breaking up is hard to do!

After only using a tiller to work most of my gardens, I know that I can only work the ground to a certain depth. Over the years I have developed a "Tiller HardPan". Basically, it is when the soil is compacted and can't be broken up. It doesn't allow roots to grow down into it and can inhibit some vegetable growth. For example, we have had carrots grow down 6 to 8 inches and then turn right. The reason for this is because they can't break through the hardpan. I have also seen this with sweet potatoes. Well hardpan no more! Since I bought a little tractor, I am ready to take care of this hardpan. I have a 3 point tool bar and now I am ready to use it. Here is the Kubota with the single shank ripper. It would rip down 12 to 15 inches. It did great! I was surprised at how deep it went. I only spun the tires a few times! Here is a picture of the ripped ground. I will finish the other fields soon and maybe try to rip the beds in the big high tunnel.

Breaking up is hard to do!

December 1st Farmers Market in Manhattan

We have been getting ready for the December 1st Farmers Market in Manhattan at Pottorf Hall. We will have the following items. Orange and Yellow Carrots, Salad Mix, Spinach, 5 types of head lettuce, Romaine Lettuce, Winterbor Kale, Red Russian Kale, Tuscano (Dinosaur) Kale, Swiss Chard, Cilantro, Red Bok Choy, Green Bok Choy, Tokyo Bekana, Napa Cabbage, Green Onions, Haikuri Turnips, Daikon Radishes, Garlic, Red Ripe Tomatoes, and 16 flavors of Jams and Jellies. We will have an even larger offering than last month, a full 40 feet of locally grown produce! Please let everyone know, the more the merrier! Hope to see your there!

December 1st Farmers Market in Manhattan

First Winter Market

While it didn't feel like winter, we had our first Winter Market on November 3rd in Manhattan. Here is what you missed. Don't worry, we will be back on December 1st, January 5th and 25th. You can also order though our online market, www.rvp.locallygrown.net

First Winter Market